Phil Hettema height - How tall is Phil Hettema?

Before forming his own company in 2002, Hettema was contacted by Abdullah II of Jordan to work on a personal project. After accepting the project, Hettema and a small group of friends, collectively known as Phil Hettema and Associates, flew out to Jordan on one-way tickets. From 2002 through to 2006, the team developed concepts for the Saraya Aqaba development in Aqaba. Phil Hettema and Associates ultimately became The Hettema Group.

Before finishing up with Universal Creative, Hettema is credited with working on Backdraft, Jurassic Park: The Ride and T2 3-D: Battle Across Time. He was also part of the team that made the first pitch to Warner Bros. for the rights to Harry Potter in amusement parks. As part of their proposal, a stage show was devised consisting of live actors and a variety of special effects. In other Universal Creative planning meetings, Hettema voted against the company obtaining the theme park rights for The Lord of the Rings. Hettema left Universal Creative in 2001.

Hettema's next project was to help design Back to the Future: The Ride, which was originally set to debut at Universal Studios Hollywood. Steven Spielberg tasked Universal Creative and the Totally Fun Company create a simulator ride concept based around Back to the Future. The project was an attempt to better George Lucas' Star Tours that had recently opened at Disneyland. However, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts were building Disney-MGM Studios, a studio tour-themed park, something Universal had previously envisioned for the Florida area. As a result, plans to develop Universal Studios Florida were revived and Back to the Future: The Ride opened in 1991 at the park.

In January 1987, Hettema joined the six-person team at MCA Planning and Development, Universal Parks & Resorts' research and development division that was later renamed Universal Creative. He joined as a line producer for an upcoming show at Universal Studios Hollywood; however, on his first day he was told the existing script was discarded and he would be required to start fresh. During the development of a show themed to the Rambo film series, Hettema was informed the show's theme would be changed to Miami Vice. This left Hettema and his team less than four and a half months to develop the Miami Vice Action Spectacular, prior to opening on July 4, 1987.

Hettema then worked with a number of Walt Disney Imagineering employees to develop attractions for a Beatrix Potter theme park in England. Although this theme park never eventuated, these connections led to him working as one of three production supervisors on the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The production supervisors from the Olympics then worked for Liberty Weekend, a celebration for the centenary of the Statue of Liberty in 1986.

Philip D. Hettema (born 1955) is the President and Creative Executive of The Hettema Group. Prior to starting his own company in 2002, Hettema worked as the Senior Vice President of Universal Creative and in managerial positions at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. He has also been credited as a production supervisor of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics, and has several patents to his name.

Hettema was born in 1955 and grew up in Southern California. As a kid, his family would make an annual trip to Disneyland, which he has described as the "highlight of his life".